\Crutch\ (kr[u^]ch; 224), n.; pl. {Crutches} (-[e^]z).
[OE. crucche, AS. crycc, cricc; akin to D. kruk, G.
kr["u]cke, Dan. krykke, Sw. krycka, and to E. crook. See
{Crook}, and cf. {Cricket} a low stool.]
1. A staff with a crosspiece at the head, to be placed under
the arm or shoulder, to support the lame or infirm in
walking.
I'll lean upon one crutch, and fight with the other.
--Shak.
Rhyme is a crutch that lifts the weak alone. --H.
Smith.
2. A form of pommel for a woman's saddle, consisting of a
forked rest to hold the leg of the rider.
3. (Naut.)
(a) A knee, or piece of knee timber.
(b) A forked stanchion or post; a crotch. See {Crotch}.

\Crutch\, v. t.
To support on crutches; to prop up. [R.]
Two fools that crutch their feeble sense on verse.
--Dryden.